The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of the worst-performing teams in the NFL for the last decade and are in desperate need of a change in fortune. They have selected multiple busts with their early picks in the past and cannot afford another misstep with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars Needs and Draft Strategy
Offensive Line:
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ biggest concern is their offensive line. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence received little to no help up front, and the Jaguars will likely use multiple early selections in this position. There are a few offensive line prospects in the draft, but none are worthy of the fifth overall pick. Jacksonville can either trade down for additional depth or hold off and use their mid-round selections to address this need.
Cornerback
The Jaguars’ secondary has been a real concern, and a cornerback is their most likely pick at No. 5 overall. Luckily, there are plenty of solid defensive back options available in the 2025 NFL draft, and Jacksonville would greatly benefit from a true shutdown corner. Montaric Brown and Jarrian Jones are not starting-caliber defensive backs and cost the Jaguars multiple games last season.
Defensive Line:
The Jaguars have a pair of difference-makers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen (formerly Josh Allen), but they could use additional depth at this position. Walker and Hines-Allen logged 10.5 and 8 sacks, respectively, while no other Jaguars recorded more than three sacks in the 2024 NFL season.
How many picks do the Jacksonville Jaguars have in the 2025 Draft?
The Jaguars have one of the best packages of draft capital available in the 2025 NFL draft. They own the coveted fifth overall pick in the first round and hold a total of 10 selections. They have all seven of their own draft picks, along with extra selections in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th rounds.
Their selections this year are as follows:
- 1st Round: 5th Overall
- 2nd Round: 36th Overall
- 3rd Round: 70th Overall
- 3rd Round: 88th Overall
- 4th Round: 106th Overall
- 4th Round: 125th Overall
- 5th Round: 143rd Overall
- 6th Round: 184th Overall
- 6th Round: 196th Overall
- 7th Round: 223rd Overall
Jacksonville has a top-10 pick in the NFL draft for the fifth time in the last seven years. Their continued struggles led to their general manager being fired, and the team is still searching for the right hire to take the reins. Jacksonville acquired their extra 6th-round pick from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Trevis Gipson and secured their extra 3rd and 4th-round picks through a savvy trade on draft day with the Minnesota Vikings last year. The Jaguars moved down from No. 17 to No. 23 in 2024, gaining the 167th pick along with their additional 3rd and 4th-rounders for 2025.
Potential Jacksonville Jaguars Draft Picks 2025
1st Round, 5th Overall: Will Johnson (Cornerback, Michigan)
Will Johnson is the top-rated cornerback in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Jacksonville is a prime candidate to draft him. Johnson has the size and speed to thrive in the modern NFL, pairing his 6’2″ frame with 203 pounds of muscle. He wasn’t challenged very often at Michigan, but he consistently made big plays when tested. Although he may initially struggle with jumping routes too aggressively, he has more than enough talent to quickly adjust to the speed of the NFL.
2nd Round, 36th Overall: Armand Membou (Offensive Tackle, Missouri)
This is certainly not a flashy pick, but there’s a strong chance the Jaguars select a lineman in the second round. They would be losing value if they used their fifth overall pick for a player in this position, as this draft lacks top-tier talent at the position. However, if Armand Membou falls to the second round, Jacksonville would gladly take him at No. 36. Membou has the size needed to play in the NFL at 325 pounds and moves surprisingly well for a man of his stature. Membou can jump up quickly off the snap and has the lateral movement needed to slow down dominant edge rushers.
3rd Round, 70th Overall: Denzel Burke (Cornerback, Ohio State)
Some mock drafts have Denzel Burke available when Jacksonville selects at No. 88, but the Jaguars will likely use their 70th pick to ensure they land him. Burke is slightly undersized for the NFL, but he hits like a truck. His ability to lower his shoulder is rare for a college cornerback, and he confidently steps up to support the run. He moves fluidly in coverage and has the versatility to play multiple positions, making him a great value pick at this stage of the draft.
